Television

Monday, April 16, 2012

Two-thirds of Americans support use of deadly force in public

Most Americans support the right to use deadly force to protect themselves - even in public places - and have a favorable view of the National Rifle Association, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed, reported the Chicago Tribune.

The online survey showed that 68 percent, or two out of three respondents, had a favorable opinion of the NRA. Eighty-two percent of Republicans saw the gun lobbying group in a positive light as well as 55 percent of Democrats, findings that run counter to the perception of Democrats as anti-NRA, reported the Tribune.

Most of the 1,922 people surveyed nationwide this month said they supported laws that allow Americans to use deadly force to protect themselves from danger in their own home or in a public place.

The poll was conducted amid a nationwide debate over gun rights and race after the Florida shooting of an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood crime watch volunteer who is white and Hispanic, reported the Tribune.

Eighty-seven percent of respondents - with high numbers among both Republicans and Democrats - supported the use of deadly force to protect themselves from danger in their home.

According to the Tribune, two-thirds said they backed laws permitting the use of deadly force to protect themselves in public, what has commonly become known as "stand your ground."

About Matt

An analysis of crime and punishment from the perspective of a former prosecutor and current criminal justice practitioner.
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